Here is a brief excerpt from an article by Jim Sniechowski for LinkedIn Pulse. To read the complete article and check out others, please click here.

Photo Credit: Stefan Schindler (Brainbikerider/Flickr)

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“Transformation” is a word that is more and more becoming used in corporations to the point of almost becoming vogue. It’s a result that in concept is deeply sought after but in practice it’s mostly just a wish.

It would be nice, but…

One consequence is that the idea of “change,” what is now by comparison just lowly change, has been shuffle back into second or third or who knows what position. Historically, “change” resided in the high tower but has fallen to the now unappreciated distant relative who is quaint but, you know…oh so yesterday.

“Transformation” has mounted the barricades and won the day.

Okay, So???

Just what is transformation? How is it identified? How is it achieved? What are its rewards? Let’s take these one at a time.

Just what is transformation?

Technically, right out of the dictionary.com, transformation is:

A change in condition, nature, or character;

To change into another substance;

To transmute.

Before you start off to the dictionary to look up the meaning of these words let me forestall your efforts. That won’t get you very far. For example, “transmute” means:

To change from one nature, substance, form, or condition into another;

To transform.

That’s a 360 degree circle. We have to go deeper.

Change as Distinct from Transformation

How often have you changed your mind, say a change in eating style or to claim that you will go to the gym religiously, or some such change? You started out well and little by little, even imperceptibly, you were right back into the old behaviors.

Did you change? Yes. For a while, but only a while, and clearly not deeply enough. So here’s one of the elements of change versus transformation:

Change is reversible, transformation IS NOT.

Once you are transformed you are not and can never be what you once were. You have changed to the depth of your identity. It’s not a change regarding this or that about you. YOU have changed. You are a different person and the change is through and through.

Mere change is changeable, as I indicated above: numerous commitments by one person to make a diet work. What happened?

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Here is a direct link to the complete article.

James Sniechowski, PhD, and his wife Judith Sherven, PhD, have developed a penetrating perspective on people’s resistance to success, which they call “The Fear of Being Fabulous.” Recognizing the power of unconscious programming to always outweigh conscious desires, they assert that no one is ever failing. They are always succeeding. The question is, at what?

Currently working as consultants on retainer to LinkedIn providing executive coaching, leadership training and consulting as well as working with private clients around the world, they continually prove that when unconscious beliefs are brought to the surface, the barriers to greater success and leadership presence begin to fade away. They call it Overcoming the Fear of Being Fabulous.